Men Deserve Flowers Too
Last week, we received a phone call asking if we have flowers for men.
While this isn’t the first time someone has asked, I felt that it was time we made a statement about the gender norms of sending flowers.
Sending flowers is a way for people to express thoughtfulness, care, and gratitude - all which are feelings that men, women and every gender in between experience. The connotation that flowers are for women largely stems from the idea that flowers are one of nature’s most beautiful gifts, and therefore are meant for beautiful women.
While the idea of a more “masculine” gift may be attractive for those looking to send a gender-norm affirming gift, I encourage our society to embrace the idea of sending flowers regardless of gender - because men deserve flowers too.
If you conduct a quick Google search for “Flowers for Men”, you’ll likely come across truck-shaped flower containers or even more toxic-masculinity atrocities such as a bouquet of beef jerky (seriously - I can’t make this stuff up).
In addition to flowers being a thoughtful gift, it has been shown in behavioral studies that people (of all genders) who receive flowers are more communicative, happier, feel a higher sense of life satisfaction.
More specifically, according to a behavioral study conducted by Rutgers University, the men who receive flowers demonstrated increased eye contact in conversation, stood in closer proximity to the researchers and produced more positive smiles than men in the study group who didn’t receive flowers.
All in all, flowers are for everyone.
Citations
Society of American Florists
https://safnow.org/aboutflowers/quick-links/health-benefits-research/emotional-impact-of-flowers-study/